Phoenicia, Arados. Circa 94/3-25/4 BC: Bull.

The coin from Arados, Phoenicia, dated between 94/3 and 25/4 BC, featuring a bull design, is emblematic of Phoenician symbolism and religious motifs prevalent in the region's numismatics. Bulls were potent symbols in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often associated with strength, fertility, and deities such as Baal. Arados, a prominent Phoenician island city, minted coins that reflected both indigenous traditions and Hellenistic artistic influences due to its geopolitical position and history of varied rule. Coins from this period illuminate the blending of cultural elements as the region navigated shifting political dominances, including the waning Seleucid authority and growing Roman influence. Such coins were practical for trade but also served to project civic pride and divine favor, with animal motifs conveying symbolic meaning beyond their monetary value.